Reverse Engineering Manga Rock's Wallpaper API

This repo

In this repo you can find:

• This readme with detailed instructions and information about how this was done
• The complete ´data.json´ obtained from mangarock servers
• 3 HD manga/anime images chosen from a total of 2200 I downloaded with my script

Background

Historic background

Manga Rock is a web service that allows its users to seamlessly read Manga Comics and Japan-related graphic material.

Manga Rock launched an Android App about 5 years ago (the oldest APK I could find was dated on 2014 ), the application uses a proprietary web API in order to communicate with its server to fetch the comic images and other assets requested by the application.

Wallpaper feature

Manga Rock added a new feature in the latest update of their application that hugely simplifies the task of searching for manga/anime imagery to use as wallpaper. The point here is that they are not free, to download and use them, one must first pay using the in-app currency (rocks). AFAIK, there's guy who has reversed their reward system and even built a tool to earn an unlimited number of rocks, but as of today, it doesn't work because it uses an outdated version of Manga Rock's API.

Tools

• Android Phone running AOSP RR 8.1
• Parallel Space (64 bits) App
• HttpCanary App
• Manga Rock Definitive App (downloaded from their website)

Procedure

Packet capture

Binary file analysis

Hacking :)